Piano practicing mute



April 8, 1941. J HEWLETT 2,237,990

PIANO PRACTICING MUTE Filed April 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w I Q w P M m z E INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS April 8, 1941. J HEWLETT 2.237.990

PIANO PRACTICING MUTE Filed April 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A1 TORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNIT'EDSTATES PATENT OFFICE PIANO. PRACTICING MUTE. J a Hewlett, Cleveland, Ohio Application-April 10, 1940, Serial No. 328,952 2 claims. (01. 34-219) This invention relates to improvements in piano accessories and especially is concerned with a novel practicing mute attachable to existing types of pianos.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a mute attachment for pianos which can be used both in teaching and in learning of the playing of a piano and which will permit fingering exercises to be performed upon the piano keyboard without concomitant sounding of the strings.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mute which can be easily and conveniently attached to existing types of pianos without requiring either special machinery or skilled labor.

simulation in practicing of conditions occurring during playing of the piano. Another advantage is that the mute device when not in use conveniently can be swung upwardly out of the path of the piano hammers.

Noteworthy among the features of the novel -I mute according to the present invention are its simplicity and ruggedness of construction, the former suiting the device to the requirements of manufacture under conditions of mass production and the latter assuring long useful life.

Other objects, advantages and features of the new and improved mute according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art during the course of the following description.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects the novel piano practicing mute according to the present invention comprises a downwardly extending apron mounted on the piano damper bar adapted to being interposed between the piano strings and the piano hammers normally striking the strings.

In order to facilitates a fuller and more complete understanding of the present invention a specific embodiment thereof herein illustrated will be hereinafter described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment, although presently preferred, is provided solely by way of example of the practice of this invention and not by Way of limitation thereof except insofar as the invention is recited in the subjoined claims.

Referring then to the drawings,

Figure 1 is substantially a vertical sectional view of a conventional piano with the device acl cording to the present invention attached thereto,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing one of the piano hammers in striking position,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the foregoing views but showing the mute in raised nonfunctioning position,

Fig. 4 is essentially an elevational semi-diagrammatic illustration of piano keys showing different positions occupied by the keys during use of the device according to this invention,

Fig. 5 is essentially a front elevational view of a portion of a piano to which is attached the device according to this invention, a section line E--! on this figure showing the location of the vertical sectional views of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive,

Fig. 6 is essentially a top plan view of a piano damper with the device according to the present invention mounted thereon,

' Fig. '7 is substantially a perspective view of a piano damper bar to which is attached a device according to this invention,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the mounting brackets, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one end of the mute strips forming a part of the device according to this invention.

Referring now particularly to Figs. '7 to 9 inclusive of the drawings it will be noticed that the mute according to the present invention gener ally designated by the reference character In comprises a pair of brackets II and 12 provided with longitudinally extending slots Ila and l2a respectively mounted across end portions of a piano damper bar A whereby the slotted portions of the brackets extend downwardly from and transversely with respect to the damper bar essentially as is shown. A rod l3 having threaded end portions l3a and [3b is swingably and iongitudinally slidably mounted in the slotted portions of the brackets H and I2 and carries downwardly dependent therefrom but rigidly mounted thereon a sound absorbent strip [4 having cutaway formations Ma therein to extend around parts of the internal structure of the piano. Stops, one of which is designated by the reference character Mb, are provided in end parts of the strip i4 and, engaging with the brackets l I and I2, serve to limit clockwise rotation of the strip. Nuts l5 and I6 received on the threaded end portions I30, and 13b of the rod l3 permit tightening of the assembly upon the brackets in a manner such that the strip I4 is rigidly supported with respect to the damper bar A at a selected position relative to the piano strings as will be hereinafter described.

Having thus described the structural features of the novel practicing mute according to the present invention, its mode of attachment and use upon a conventional type of piano will now be described, reference being made particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings wherein it will be noticed that the damper bar A is carried upon swinging arms B operated in a conventional manner by a draw wire C by means of which the arms may be shifted and the damper bar moved from lowered position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 to raised position as illustrated in phantom in Fig. 3. In Fig. 1 it will be noticed that the strip I4 is positioned downwardly in extended relation to the damper bar A and is spaced with respect to the damper D at the maximum distance permitted by the brackets II and i2. In Fig. 2 the mute is likewise shown in downwardly extending relation to the damper bar A but is advanced to position of closest proximity to the damper D as contrasted to the position occupied in Fig. 1. In Fig. 4 the key F is shown partially depressed corresponding to the position of engagement of the piano hammer E with the mute when located as illustrated in Fig. 1 corresponding to so-called shallow striking of the key, and key G in Fig. 4 illustrates deep striking of the key corresponding to the mute position illustrated in Fig. 2. When the mute is not in use it is swung upwardly upon the brackets II and I2 to occupy the position relative to the damper bar A illustrated in Fig, 3, it being understood of course that in shifting the mute the nuts l5 and it are loosened and when the mute is in selected position tightening of the nuts purpose of the device, namely interruption of the hammer struck and deadening of sound, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art what materials would be most suitable for the fabrication of the strip.

It is to be understood that this invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the precise illustrated forms nor described construction and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not afiect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the present invention,

what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A piano practicing mute, comprising a Vertically swinging damper bar, slotted brackets carried by the ends of the damper bar, a rod passing through the slots in said bracket, nuts securing the rod in its adjusted position in the bracket, a sound absorbent strip mounted on said rod and extending downwardly between the strings and the hammers of a piano, and means for swinging the damper bar upwardly out of the path of travel of the piano hammers.

2. A piano practicing mute, comprising a damper bar, levers carried by the ends of the damper bar and adapted to be intermediately pivoted to the casing of a piano, operating means carried by the ends of said lever, slotted brackets carried by the ends of the damper bar, a rod loosely passing through the slots in the bracket, nuts on the rod for holding the rod in its adjusted position, a sound absorbent strip mounted on the rod between the hammers, means for limiting the inward movement of the absorbent strip, and means whereby said absorbent strip 'may be moved upwardly out of the path of travel of the piano hammers.

JAMES F. HEWLETT. 

